Coalition of Diverse Interests Launches Healthy Water Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (HwO) – One of Ohio’s greatest assets for families, communities and businesses is its abundant supply of water. Healthy Water Ohio (HwO) is a newly announced coalition organized to develop a long-range strategy to protect and enhance the waters of the state.

The coalition first began its work in November, 2013. As part of its introduction to the public, HwO revealed plans for a statewide public poll to gather input that will help guide the coalition’s efforts.

Healthy Water Ohio is a diverse partnership of stakeholders from conservation, business and industry, universities, water suppliers, agriculture and others who will lead development of a 20- to 30-year management strategy to address water issues for Ohio.

The poll data will contribute to HwO’s year-long study to examine issues of concern regarding water quality and quantity, identify the influences on water resources and explore economic, social and environmental opportunities. The coalition will announce its findings and recommendations in the summer of 2015.

Ohioans consume more than 11 billion gallons of water each day for personal and business use and enjoy more than 60,000 miles of rivers, streams and lake shoreline and more than 125,000 lakes, reservoirs and ponds. The economic impacts of business, tourism and other water uses is in the tens of billions of dollars.

These valuable resources are at risk from growing personal and business demands, new land uses, changing weather patterns and other social, environmental and political challenges.

Thirty stakeholder organizations are participating in the initiative so far with additional groups expected to become engaged. They will operate in working groups to focus on specific subjects and provide detailed input to the steering committee.

HwO stakeholders and resource personnel will hold a series of learning events throughout the state. To learn more about these events or to become part of the initiative, contact HwO technical advisor Dr. Larry Antosch of Ohio Farm Bureau Federation at lantosch@ofbf.org.